Revealing underlying killer

Sam Madams, Jaye Flaws and Clive Stowers modelling the undies for Blue September. PHOTO/LEWIS GARDNER

Wanganui rugby players have been ditching their clothes to support charity.

Placemakers are selling special blue men's undies to raise money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation during Blue September, and the boys from the Wanganui rugby representative team - also known as the Butcher's Boys - were persuaded to down-trou to show off the merchandise.

Some were a little bashful, but Sam Madams, Jaye Flaws and Clive Stowers fronted up as models to get over the message about prostate checks.

Wanganui Rugby Union chief executive Dale Cobb said the union was involved with the Blue September men's health awareness campaign because "it's sort of tagging and targeting our men who tend to think they're built like bricks and mortar".

"Most of our members are male ... and it's basically saying, 'Come on, men, go out and get checked'," Mr Cobb said.

"We're all aware of the dangers now of not being diagnosed with prostate problems early. It basically just highlights the need for our gentlemen.

"It doesn't matter what age, it's the fact that opening it up the way we have and promoting it just makes it a little more easier for members to get checked."

Mr Cobb thought the union's involvement with the cause sent a positive message to Wanganui men.

The underwear is available from Placemakers for $25 a pair, $10 of which will be donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Kiwi men and the third most common cause of death in men after lung cancer and bowel cancer. More than 3000 are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year and one in 10 will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime.